All 9 Uses
trifle
in
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
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- Trifling as the matter was, he yet instinctively felt that she was hurt by his oversight.†
Chpt 1 *
- But I won't stand upon trifles—tell'n he shall hae it for fifty—for twenty pound!†
Chpt 1trifles = things of small importance
- For near three mortal months have you trifled with my feelings, eluded me, and snubbed me; and I won't stand it!†
Chpt 1 *trifled with = treated thoughtlessly or without respect
- After breakfast Clare went into the little town to wind up such trifling matters as he was concerned with there, and to get from the local bank all the money he possessed.†
Chpt 5
- How then should he look upon her as of less consequence than himself; as a pretty trifle to caress and grow weary of; and not deal in the greatest seriousness with the affection which he knew that he had awakened in her—so fervid and so impressionable as she was under her reserve—in order that it might not agonize and wreck her?†
Chpt 4
- But why should I trifle so!†
Chpt 4
- We will not trifle—life is too serious.†
Chpt 4
- As the last duty before leaving this part of England it was necessary for him to call at the Wellbridge farmhouse, in which he had spent with Tess the first three days of their marriage, the trifle of rent having to be paid, the key given up of the rooms they had occupied, and two or three small articles fetched away that they had left behind.†
Chpt 5
- Only one person had preceded Tess up the hill—a ladylike young woman, somewhat interesting, though, perhaps, a trifle guindee and prudish.†
Chpt 5
Definitions:
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(1)
(trifle as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
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(2)
(trifle with as in: trifle with her affections) to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
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(3)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) A trifle can refer to a kind of dessert. In classic literature, trifling can be a synonym for small talk.